New AMD Zen 6 IPC leak outs exciting multi-layer 3D V-Cache and promising IPC gain over Zen 5

AMD Zen 6 and Intel Nova Lake are expected to be the main next-gen desktop CPU architectures that could launch sometime in 2026. With Nova Lake, Intel is reportedly introducing up to 56 cores, new P/E cores, a low-power core island, and more. AMD is also packing a ton of improvements in Zen 6, the chief among which are potentially insane boost clocks, higher core counts, and a cutting-edge TSMC node.

For performance, leaks point to Intel Nova Lake offering a 10% single-core and up to 60% multi-core performance improvement over Arrow Lake-S CPUs. We don’t have such information regarding Zen 6, as leaked Zen 6 performance figures have been scarce.

Moore’s Law Is Dead has now plugged this gap by revealing some early IPC figures for Zen 6. The leaker cites one of his AMD sources and suggests that retail Zen 6 CPUs could bring a 7 to 9% IPC Floating Point (FP) IPC uplift over Zen 5. 

The source cautioned MLID that this figure is “NOT the final claimed IPC that will take into account gaming and other PPC uplift”. As such, the leaker posits that the final IPC improvement, which combines percentage gain for gaming and other tasks, could hit or exceed 10%.

Zen 6 to bring more 3D V-Cache

We’ve reported in the past that, aside from 12-core CCDs, Zen 6 could also bring more 3D V-Cache. MLID’s AMD source has now confirmed that Zen 6 will see 96 MB of 3D V-Cache. The source also confirmed that Zen 6 CPUs can incorporate multiple 3D V-Cache layers, which opens up possibilities like 240 MB of L3 cache if AMD uses two layers of 3D V-Cache, for instance.

Zen 6 is reportedly focused on gaming. Things like 6+ GHz boost clocks and more 3D V-Cache all slot in nicely in AMD’s alleged plans. So, folks who will be due for an upgrade next year can look forward to some healthy gen-on-gen gaming performance uplift. 

If you can’t wait for a year, some of AMD’s current-gen Zen 5 chips can be found at great prices. For instance, the 6-core Ryzen 5 9600X, which performed admirably in our testing, is a fantastic value right now on Amazon.

Finally, please keep in mind that the details shared by MLID are unconfirmed until AMD reveals Zen 6 officially. Zen 6 is a year or more away, which means that AMD is unlikely to disclose anything concrete anytime soon.